Chapter 4
After the list was released, the first thing each team had to do was to learn about the mountain range and choose a route. However, when everyone looked through the materials provided by the directors, they found that there was no information except a route map. What did this mean? Were they supposed to just rush in with no knowledge?
Whispers rang out as several celebrities gathered together, discussing in low voices. An Manrou's face was horribly pale. Although she was young, only 24 years old, she was already a popular young actress, with a popularity comparable to that of Chu Huaiqin, the hottest male star. She came here just to improve her status and pave the way for a career as a talent-driven actress. Before she came, her agent had told her that it would be the same as in previous years. Either the production team would provide food for a full month, or everyone would complete tasks in the mountains in exchange for food. The most difficult part would be climbing a small cliff with a safety harness. Her wealthy boyfriend also said that he had invested in the program and had already made arrangements. No matter what, she would definitely make it through the second round to participate in the Asian competition. But now it was completely different from what she had said before!
"It wasn't like this before. They didn't tell me why it changed this year. My health isn't very good to begin with. We have to cross mountains and hills to get from here to our destination, and we don't even know if there are tigers or lions..."
An Manrou bit her lips tightly, her eyes moist, and murmured, looking particularly helpless.
When An Manrou said this, the faces of several celebrities present were obviously not happy. Yes, before coming here, the production team didn't say anything about changing the competition format.
Although Lan Tianhua was born on the Martial Star, his school was different from the orthodox one. To put it bluntly, it was just a show. He had been dissatisfied when Director Huang introduced the competition system, but Director Huang's words that he could withdraw immediately made him swallow his words. Now, after hearing An Manrou's words, he suddenly woke up, "Director Huang, I've seen the route map. According to the route map, no matter which route we choose, we must cross the mountains here to reach our destination. I won't talk about the difficulty. The mountains here are continuous, the vegetation is lush, and it's spring. There must be all kinds of animals there, including tigers, venomous snakes, and wild boars, right?"
"That's right."
Director Huang's words made everyone's faces change drastically. The swaying shadows of the trees cast on the ground in the sun became terrifying. They had expected snakes, insects, rats, and ants before coming here, but they had never imagined large wild animals.
"I remember it wasn't like this in the first five years. Besides, these animals are wild beasts. What if something happens?"
"I told you there was a help button."
"But you said that pressing it would be like giving up the game."
"Yes, I remember the rules well." Director Huang seemed oblivious to Lan Tianhua's lack of honorifics when speaking to him. He turned his gaze towards the others. "We still have half an hour to prepare. Let's get going as soon as possible."
As a veteran who had won the Best Actress award twice, Yang Ling felt she had some status and couldn't help but ask, "Director Huang, won't you give us an explanation?"
"I said, you have the right to withdraw."
Chen Jian said angrily, "Director Huang, are you forcing us to withdraw from the competition?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, the director team and the contestants instantly became two camps, and the live broadcast room also became noisy. Fans naturally supported their idols, and sole fans of course supported the program team, and the live broadcast room also became noisy.
"She's already famous, but she still needs Director Huang to explain to her, is Best Actress that great? Our Director Huang has produced countless Best Actress and Best Actor winners, what a joke."
"You were so harsh earlier. This competition is supposed to be difficult. It's just an entertainment show. You have to walk in the mountains for a month. What if a large wild animal appears and injures you? Do you want to gamble your life?"
"Oh, that's so easy to say. Since it's a show, if you participate, you have to listen to the production team. Do you think you are the father of the whole world? Just because you participate, you have the final say."
"It was too easy in the past few years. Everyone thought that only by traveling here would they suffer five consecutive years of kneeling. I still think this is not enough. Director Huang, torture them to death. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing if they go abroad."
"Damn, with all the noise going on, everyone's not going to quit the competition, right?"
"You're overthinking it. You're still a bit spineless. Look at Chu Huaiqin, he's cooking noodles!"
As soon as this line appeared in the comment barrage, everyone turned their attention to Chu Huaiqin, who was actually cooking noodles. A fire was burning on a makeshift stone stove, and a freshly fired steel pot of water was bubbling. Chu Huaiqin was squatting, adding noodles to the pot. A young monk, carrying a long robe, was milling around him, asking when they could eat. Lin Yongfu was gathering firewood not far away, and several amateurs were squatting nearby, gulping, and asking Chu Huaiqin if he could leave the fire on after cooking so they could make some noodles too. They were starving.
Only then did everyone remember that they had not eaten anything since they set out in the morning.
Seeing that everyone was arguing more and more, Su Huaichen quickly advised: "Stop arguing, stop arguing, and talk it out nicely."
Shao Tai nodded repeatedly, "Yes, let's talk about it, Director Huang. They're just too excited. This competition system is indeed different from what we knew before. This program is too dangerous. If something goes wrong, it will be troublesome, right?"
Su Huaichen: ...
Didn't these people read the contract? Never mind, he should go to Chu Huaiqin to ask if the noodles are cooked, and cook some noodles for him!
Although he and Chu Huaiqin were only acquaintances, he always felt that this younger generation was very good.
Director Huang laughed, an angry laugh. "Oh, the location and format for the first season of Wilderness Survival were all decided by me after an on-site inspection. So far, no one has mentioned this. The only person who knows is my assistant who drives me. Did he tell you?"
"I didn't," the assistant's face turned pale with fear. Even the higher-ups, the assistant director, and the directors of each group didn't know about this. How could he possibly know? He just drove Director Huang here and came back to pick him up three months later. "Director Huang, I really didn't say anything."
"Well, the assistant didn't say anything, and the contract only states that the entire show will be arranged by the production team while ensuring the artist's safety. So how did you know?"
Chen Jian bit his lip and argued, "The first five years..."
"You didn't seem to hear what I said before. Now that I'm directing this show, I have the final say."
Yang Ling screamed, her hand holding the card shaking, "You are taking human life lightly."
"Are you crazy? Who gave Yang Ling these resources? How can you call her disregarding human life? She must be planning to come here for a trip!"
"Oh my god, what are you talking about, Best Actress? I now think Allen Chu is much cuter than her."
"Is there anything wrong with what Sister Yang said? It's obvious. Didn't you hear them admit it? There were tigers and pythons, these large wild animals. It turns out you weren't the ones participating."
"With an eight-figure appearance fee, what's the matter? You still want to sit and drink tea?"
Surviving the wilderness is tough. The first season saw celebrity appearance fees reach eight figures, a fact known to everyone in and out of the industry. If they survived elimination, their fees continued to rise with each season, adding up to a terrifying amount. Some have said before that they wouldn't accept the fees, but the production team has always been incredibly slow, and this year, with Director Huang finally taking the lead in "setting things right," they immediately couldn't handle it.
"Fifteen minutes left," Director Huang said, confirming the time with a serious face. "Anyone who doesn't leave within fifteen minutes will be considered a forfeit."
Director Huang waved to the sub-director after his words and got back in the car. The stars who had rebelled against Director Huang looked at each other in bewilderment, gritted their teeth, and called their agents. Only then did they realize that while the first-round appearance fee was an eight-figure sum, a portion would be deducted if they dropped out midway, and those who didn't make it to the end would also receive a corresponding reduction.
They had signed the contract without even reading it carefully, having heard it was a wilderness survival resource. They hadn't expected this to happen. Could they give up the hefty appearance fee and the subsequent traffic? Obviously not, so they dispersed and went to pack their belongings.
“Whoosh!”
The loud whooshing sound made several celebrities embarrassed, especially when they saw Su Huaichen actually talking to Chu Huaiqin. Su Huaichen was young, but his status was high, and with his powerful background, many people wanted to befriend him. After meeting him at the airport, they tried to contact him several times but were perfunctorily rejected. They had no idea he would be so friendly with the spoiled Chu Huaiqin.
Chen Jian walked up to the group of people gathered together and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you going to fight for your own rights?"
Several people who were eating noodles in a circle holding steel pots raised their heads and looked at Chen Jian, and then looked at Chu Huaiqin at the same time, as if they wanted him to speak.
Chu Huaiqin raised his eyebrows and replied, "I'm hungry."
Everyone: Good excuse.
The quarrel came to an end, and Director Huang's fifteen minutes made everyone speed up. One after another, when it was almost time, Chu Huaiqin hesitated because of the route.
The young monk said, "Hey, this, A3 is good. I see there are cliffs in the canyon, and maybe even a waterfall. Let's go this way!"
Lin Yongfu said loudly, "Route A1 says animals frequently come and go. We've even seen bear feces and tiger urine, but I've never seen a wild tiger or bear!"
Chu Huaiqin said slowly, "A2, according to fellow hikers, many strange things have happened along this route, but I haven't seen a ghost yet!"
teammate:……
audience:……
Participants: ...
The three of them each had their own preferred route. They glanced at each other and smiled simultaneously...
"Fist, Scissors, Paper."
"Yeah, I won." The little monk jumped three feet high, but was hit on the knee by a small stone in mid-air. His legs went numb and he fell down with a crisp sound.
The little monk looked at Xiang Zhou blankly, where did the evil wind come from?
After the three decided which route to take, they went to the director to get the large map of A3. After spreading it out and comparing it with the small map, they found that the A3 route had several intersections with the other two routes. Without comparing with the small map, they would not have been able to find them at all.
I don’t know if this was intentional by the program crew to give contestants the opportunity to change their routes.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Chu Huaiqin glanced at the team members scattered in various positions studying the route, thought for a moment, and said loudly: "The three routes all intersect. We will meet there then."
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere froze for a moment. Then, those who had received the large map quickly spread it out to compare with the small card map. They found that it was indeed true, and in some places the three routes were very close. It was just that the small size of the small map made it look very different.
"How foolish! You actually revealed such important information."
The routes intersect, which means that if the route you choose is difficult, you have the opportunity to change routes in the middle. However, the program crew did not say it from the beginning, which seemed to be premeditated. Now that Chu Huaiqin has shouted it out, can this game still be played?
"Even if Chu Huaiqin doesn't say it, others will be able to find out! And don't you think he is more upright this way? Just reluctantly agree with him at this moment!"
"Is Chu Huaiqin going to ruin the show's carefully crafted highlight? He's such a mouthful!"
"Director Huang said earlier that his wilderness survival skills must be authentic. Now that he's been discovered, it wouldn't be against the rules for Chu Huaiqin to share it!"
Many fans in the live broadcast room spoke up for Chu Huaiqin. After the previous quarrel, they could barely pick out one that they liked from a bunch of ugly people.
Su Huaichen approached Chu Huaiqin and said with a smile: "Why did you say it out loud? This way they have another chance to choose."
Besides, these people might cause trouble.
"They would have found out even if I didn't tell them. Besides," Chu Huaiqin put his hands in his pockets, his chin slightly raised. The sunlight hit his face from the side, making it almost transparent. He squinted his eyes slightly, a cunning light flashed across his clear eyes, and he smiled calmly and said, "Games are only fun when there are a lot of people!"
Su Huaichen's chest trembled. Was the confident man before him really the spoiled brat that people in and outside the entertainment industry called him? Perhaps not entirely.
"Time's up."
Following Director Huang's order, the ten teams of contestants put on their backpacks and headed towards the mountains according to their own routes. The survival in the wild officially began.
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